The Workaholic and the Realist (New Hampshire Bears #2) by Mary Smith Read Free Book Online Page A

the time I’m in jeans.”
    Dacey continued to smile like a fool when I felt a tap on my shoulder and Keaton’s blue eyes were shining down at me.
    “Now why are two lovely women sitting here man-less?”
    “Because we’re smart,” I quipped back.
    “I told you to leave them alone. Dacey’s interviewing.”
    I had to assume the tall man with the thick Irish accent was Vance. He had shaggy, dark brown hair and ice-blue eyes, and not bad looking at all.
    “It’s fine, Vance.” Keaton sat down next to me. “Isn’t it Harlow?”
    I ignored him and held out my hand to Vance. “I’m your girlfriend’s new boss, Harlow Goldsmith.”
    “Vance Pemberton.” He shook my hand. “So, you got the job?” He took a seat next to her, and she nodded shyly.
    “I start Monday.” Her voice smaller than when she talked to me, and something I needed to break her of. She needed to be louder.
    “Great. Good job, Dacey.” Keaton congratulated her.
    “Thanks.” More blushing as the guys ordered food and drinks. “How did practice go?”
    “Went well,” Vance answered.
    “How long have you two been together?” Since Dacey’s my new employee I should get to know her better.
    “Since we were ten,” Vance answered and Keaton nudged my leg harshly.
    I ignored Keaton because I was astounded by Vance’s answer. “Ten? As in…ten?”
    “Yes. Our parents arranged us,” Dancy added.
    “Shut up. Like for real? An arranged marriage. I thought stopped in the eighteenth century.” My mouth dropped. I didn’t believe this happened in the modern world.
    “I don’t think we need to hear the details, Harlow.” Keaton patted my hand and cut me a mean glare.
    But I wanted to know more. I had to know more. Well, Dacey worked for me now; therefore, I’d use my new found powers as her boss to get the information.
    Keaton changed the subject back to hockey. I guessed, by the way he talked, the road games weren’t successful. I probably should have checked the scored or highlights, but I hadn’t.
    Thankfully, the food came, and we focused on it. I watched Vance and Dacey glance at each other and then look away. Finally, we finished and Keaton paid for it all, even though I protested. We all walked out together, and Dacey said she’d see me Monday, and they strolled away.
    “I tried to get you not to ask too many questions about their relationship.” Keaton explained as he walked me to my SUV.
    “Why? Aren’t you curious?”
    “Well, yes, but it’s their private business.” We stopped and leaned up against my driver’s door.
    “What do you know?”
    Keaton studied me for a moment, and one side of his mouth curled up. “What will you give me?”
    “Seriously? You’re trying to bribe me.”
    “No, but I have an answer.”
    “To what?” I furrowed my brow.
    “Yes.”
    “Yes, what?” I tilted my head, still baffled as to what he was talking about.
    Keaton leaned in close to my ear, just as he had at his apartment. I froze in place, and my heart raced. The warmth of his breath on my skin caused me to shiver.
    “Yes, I can make you come just touching you above the waist.”
    “Are you sure?” I tried to hold my sexual emotions in.
    “I definitely want to try.”
    Oh, I wanted him to try too. “We have a professional relationship, puppy. Do you want to ruin it with sex?” My currently unused vagina was screaming Hell, yes , but my head told me to be an adult.
    “I know we’re not going to ruin anything. Just enhance it.”
    I released the breath I held, and the coldness made it a small fog.
    “What do you say, honey-bunny? Do you want to see what my tongue and lips can do to you?”
    “We’re talking casual. Nothing more.”
    “Oh, there will be more. A whole lot more, but first, I need to fulfill the challenge you’ve given me.”
    “You seem to be very confident, puppy?” I tried to keep our banter going so I wouldn’t lose my cool and fuck him up against my SUV.
    Keaton stepped back. “I’ve got